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Organic Integrity in Bodycare
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Truth and Lies in Organic Personal Care

coming clean campaign
We are taking necessary and dramatic steps in concert with the Organic Consumers Association “Coming Clean” Campaign, to clean up the natural personal care industry. Dr. Bronner would be rather incensed by the rampant organic fraud perpetrated by companies and brands that should know better, but pumped about how we are stepping up with his shoes to address the situation, just as he would have done. Click here to learn more about the Coming Clean Campaign.
spacer acrobat Click to read 5-Star Comparison & Ranking of U.S. and European “Organic” and “Natural” Personal Care Standards (pdf 2.66mb)
  spacer Click here to see Spreadsheet for nicely laid out more detailed breakdown (Excel 34kb)
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September 17, 2012:
acrobat Use of "Organic" in Labeling and Marketing of Personal Care Products
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September 17, 2012:
spacer NARB Recommends Fair Trade USA Modify Composite-Products Seal to Better Inform Consumers of 'Fair-Trade' Sourced Content
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January 14, 2009:
spacer Dr. Bronner’s Joins Organic Consumers Association in Filing Complaint with USDA National Organic Program Against Organic Cheaters
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January 13, 2009:
acrobat Dr. Bronner’s Refiles False Advertising Complaint in Federal Court Against Organic Cheaters (pdf 114kb)
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September 22, 2009:
acrobat Press Release: Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Applauds Progress in Raising Standards for 'Organic' Personal Care (pdf 37kb)
acrobat National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to Vote on “Solving the Problem of Mislabeled Organic Cosmetics and Personal Care” (pdf 72kb)
acrobat Dr. Bronner’s Formal Comment to NOSB re “Solving the Problem of Mislabeled Organic Cosmetics and Personal Care” (pdf 75kb)
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July 1, 2009:
acrobat Press Release: Dr. Bronner’s Ups Ante in Lawsuit Against ‘Organic’ Personal Care Cheaters. Monetary Damages Now Sought from Remaining Defendants Alongside Injunctive Relief
acrobat Read Second Amended Complaint for Damages for and Injunctive Relief Against False Advertising in Violation of Section 43(A) of the Lanham Act Here
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May 5, 2009:
acrobat Comments of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps on the certification, accreditation and compliance committee discussion document: Solving the problem of mislabeled organic cosmetics & personal care products
 
March 6, 2009:
acrobat Press Release: Organic Cheater Personal Care Lawsuit Proceeds to Discovery Phase. Dr. Bronner’s Plans ANSI/NSF 305 “Made with Organic” Certification to Supplement Existing USDA NOP Certification
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October 8, 2008:
acrobat Press Release: Round one legal victory for organic consumers and Dr. Bronner’s against “Organic Cheater” personal care brands (Avalon, Jason, etc.) and certifiers (OASIS & Ecocert). Ikove and Juice Beauty have taken high road and settled.
acrobat See the Court’s Rulings Here
acrobat Review the Joint Case Management Conference document submitted to the Court by Dr. Bronner’s and Defendants that frames the respective positions.
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On April 28, 2008, after discussions with offending “organic cheater” companies failed to resolve core issues, Dr. Bronner’s filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court. We remain optimistic that various companies will settle with us according to the straightforward settlement agreement we offered.
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Further Reading
 
Important Documents
spacer Press Release: Lawsuit Against Major 'Organic' Cheater Brands
arrow Reasonable Consumer Expectations for Organic Body Care
arrow San Francisco Chronicle Article: "Dr. Bronner's sues rivals over organic labels"
 
acrobat "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps vs. The Hain Celestial Group Inc. et all" Legal Brief (pdf 300kb)
acrobat OCA and Dr. Bronner's Proffered Settlement Agreement (pdf 210kb)
acrobat Survey of California Bodycare Consumers (pdf 29kb)
acrobat "Battle Over Organic Products Turns Toxic" (pdf 335kb)
 
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Beginning in the 1940’s, the world was flooded with cheaply-made synthetic products and ingredients, ranging from pesticides and food additives to detergents and plastics, all created in the laboratory largely from non-renewable petroleum. It was hailed as “Better Living Through Chemistry,” but unintended consequences included pollution of the air and water, deterioration of soil tilth and health, unhealthy overly-processed foods, and synthetic ingredients in personal care products — more than a few with significant toxicity issues. In response, the organic movement of the last few decades rejected the intensive synthetic inputs and processes in conventional agriculture and food processing, recognizing that traditional methods and materials result in better soil, human and environmental health.

Likewise, the organic philosophy rejects the highly-processed synthetic formulations of mainstream body care. Organic integrity in body care means an organic product is composed of certified organic ingredients produced with minimal processing in compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP), which ensures the integrity of organic foods as well. Real organic personal care does not utilize synthetic preservatives that can irritate skin. Natural unrefined oils and waxes are used as emollients and moisturizers, instead of hydrogenated oils and synthetic silicones. Traditional natural simple soaps are used in hand and body washes, instead of modern synthetic surfactants usually made in part with petrochemicals.

 
 
Click here for a product comparison of Dr. Bronner’s vs. Leading Bogus “Organics” Brands. Many pseudo-organic products contain ethoxylated ingredients (ending with “-eth” or “PEG” ) that contain trace 1,4 dioxane.
 
Click here to see our Punk Rock Soap Opera video on real vs. fake soaps, and then visit the Organic Consumers Association’s “Coming Clean” campaign to learn more. We are fighting for a marketplace where organic consumers are not misled into purchasing bogus synthetic-schlock products masquerading as real certified organic personal care.
 
Click here to visit the Safe Cosmetics Campaign site and learn about Common Ingredients to Avoid.
 
 
Punk Rock Soap Opera
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Click here to see our Punk Rock Soap Opera video on real vs. fake soaps, and then visit the Organic Consumers Association’s “Coming Clean” campaign to learn more. We are fighting for a marketplace where organic consumers are not misled into purchasing bogus synthetic-schlock products masquerading as real certified organic personal care.
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related features overview
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Click here for a product comparison of Dr. Bronner’s vs. Leading Bogus “Organics” Brands. Many pseudo-organic products contain ethoxylated ingredients (ending with “-eth” or “PEG” ) that contain trace 1,4 dioxane.
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